Cushioned shoe construction



Dec. 24, 1957 J. A. CLARK CUSHIONED SHOE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 11, 1955 i Q Q Q M Z///V///M/M M wm :TVN R S\ /w d.. i Q S Illy/ r* g 2,817,163 Patented Dec. 24, 1957 CUSHIONED SHOE CONSTRUCTION John Arnold Clark, Worcester, Mass.

Application August 11, 1955, Serial No. 527,780

2 Claims. (Cl. 36-17) This invention relates to new and improved cushioned shoe constructions particularly adapted for a conventional type of dress shoe although the invention is not so limited and may be applied to shoes of any description.

The construction of the new shoe is such as to provide for ruggedness and long wear with extreme comfort and heat and cold insulation. A special novel sole means provides for flexibility at the toe and ball of the foot without sacrice of wear or style. This novel sole means combines a thin insulative and cushioning layer throughout the sole with a thick forepart ller for a soft, upper leather forepart insole, and stitened heel and shank, and this construction provides long wear, flexibility, and comfort in any known type or style of shoe, whether low or high, Goodyear welt, stitchdown, etc., and any outer sole desired may be incorporated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a longitudinal section through a shoe illustrating an embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 2 2 in Fig. l.

The new shoe is preferably a dress type of shoe, whether Welted or not, but it may be of many types and styles without departing from the invention. It may be a walking or sport shoe, and it may be of any height, or a low shoe as shown in Fig. 1.

The shoe embodies in its construction a suitable outsole having a full length midsole 11 secured thereto, such as by adhesive and by the stitching 12 of a suitable welt 13. A cushion sole 14 of relatively thin, compressible, insulating material such as aerated latex, or the like, is cemented to the midsole 11 and extends well beyond the heel breast line 15 of the shoe, the portion of the cushion sole rearwardly of the heel breast line being tapered in thickness, as indicated at 14a. The cushion sole 14 thus serves both as a cushion and an insulator for the entire foot of the wearer.

A ller sole 16 of relatively thick, compressible, insulating material such as aerated latex, or the like, is superposed on the toe and ball portion of the cushion sole 14 and has its rear edge disposed at the ball line of the shoe. As such, the sole 16 affords a soft, comfortable cushion in the forepart of the shoe, where it is needed for the toe and ball of the wearers foot.

A suitable heel pad member 17 overlies the tapered heel portion 14a of the cushion sole 14, and a suitable shank stiener 18 is superposed on the cushion sole 14 rearwardly of the filler sole 16 and overlaps the heel pad member 17, as illustrated.

A two-part insole is provided, the same including a toe and ball portion 19 which overlies the liller sole 16, and a shank and heel portion 20 which overlies the stilfener 18 and the heel pad member 17. The insole portion 20 is preferably made of relatively stiff, heavy leather, while the portion 19 is of soft leather or similar material.

It will be noted that although the entire sole is strong, thick and long wearing, there is no stili material in the forepart of the shoe and accordingly, the shoe is flexible, easy and comfortable to walk in, even when new.

The ball and toe portion 19 of the insole is provided with a downturned lip 21 having the upper 22 of the shoe suitably secured thereto and to the welt 13, as by the stitching 23. It will be observed that the cushion sole 14 has its marginal edge portion projecting laterally outwardly beyond the upper 22 and retained under the welt 13, as shown.

If desired, the upper 22 may be provided with a perforated liner and with a layer of suitable insulating material. A box toe can be used used and the perforations in the upper may be small enough to prevent entry of moisture, but permit breathing of the foot.

This new construction provides a heat and cold insulated shoe of very rugged construction but handsome appearance, and while it may have the thick outer sole shown it may also have a thin leather or Neolite sole also. The shoe is extremely comfortable and may be used even when brand new for hiking, golf, or casual or dress or business wear, or for any purpose depending on design, not a part of the invention. Any known type of vconstruction or design of shoe may have incorporated in it the invention expressed herein, and no limitation as to type or style of shoe is to be imparted into the invention because of the cushioned and insulated nature thereof.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

1. In a cushioned shoe, the combination of an outsole, a full length midsole, a cushion sole of relatively thin aerated latex material extending over said midsole beyond the heel breast line, a ller sole of relatively thick aerated latex material superposed on the toe and ball part of said cushion sole and having its rear edge disposed at the ball line, a portion of said cushion sole rearwardly of the heel breast line being tapered in thickness, a heel -pad member overlying the tapered heel portion of said cushion sole, a shank stiffener superposed on said cushion sole rearwardly of said filler sole and overlapping said heel pad member, and a two-part insole including a toe and ball portion overlying said iiller sole and a shank and heel portion overlying said shank stiffener and said heel pad member.

2. The shoe construction as defined in claim 1 together with a downturned lip provided on the toe and ball portion of said insole, a shoe upper secured to said lip, and a welt surrounding the lower edge portion of said upper, said cushion sole having its marginal edge portion projecting laterally outwardly beyond said upper and retained under said welt.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 59,419 Letson Nov. 6, 1866 177,656 Osgood May 23, 1876 (Other references on following page) Ayers July 28, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,292,318 Pearson Aug. 7, 1900 2383052 Nolen Dec. 8, 1908 214361050 Patrick Jan. 30, 1917 451082 Winter Aug. 18, 1925 5 24641355 Linard July 23, 1929 2775049 Reed etal Feb. 13, 1934 Enos Aug. 11, 1936 Gutwein Jan. 1s, 193s 1861531 Noonan et a1 July 23, 1940 10 477,220 Craig et al June 23, 1942 x 4 Daly Aug. 4, 1942 Everston Aug. 21, 1945 Miner Feb. 17, 1948 Fennessey Dec. 21, 1948 Starner Mar. 15, 1949 Apteker Dec. 25, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland Sept. 30, 1936 Great Britain Dec. 24, 1937 

